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Queensland's police minister has refused to say if he was briefed last year about one of the Wieambilla shooters allegedly being caught gun-running in breach of pandemic border closures.

Investigators are still probing the shooting deaths of Constables Matthew Arnold, 26 and Rachel McCrow, 29, and 58-year-old Alan Dare, at a rural property at Wieambilla, three hours west of Brisbane, on December 12.

They're yet to declare a motive but are investigating the link between shooters Nathaniel Train, his brother Gareth and sister-in-law Stacey, who were all shot dead by specialist police, and online conspiracy groups.

The trio's activities in the physical world, such as stockpiling weapons, setting up surveillance systems at the property and alleged illegal border crossings, are also being probed.

Nathaniel Train allegedly breached COVID-19 rules by sneaking from NSW into Queensland and dumping guns, ammunition, hunting gear and paperwork into a creek in December 2021, the ABC has reported.

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan has refused to say if he was briefed about that particular incident, which occurred almost exactly one year before the Wieambilla killings.

"I don't want to comment on the accuracy or otherwise of your statement," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"It is a full investigation that matters are before the coroner. The (police) commissioner has been very clear that there will be a very thorough investigation and the coroner will look at all aspects of this matter."

Investigators are probing the circumstances of the attack, which fellow constables Keely Brough and her colleague Randall Kirk managed to escape.

When asked why four police had been sent to check on Nathaniel Train, who had been reported missing by family in NSW, Mr Ryan said that it was common practice in regional areas.

Meanwhile, the minister said he had already spoken to the police union about their "very good idea" for the Trains' property to be bought and converted into a memorial, retreat or police training centre.

"I'm very supportive of that, in my view, that ground is now sacred ground, that is where the lives of two heroes of Queensland were taken, and I can think of no better way than to preserve that forever," Mr Ryan said.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers on Tuesday called for the government to help the union buy the remote bushland block to ensure it never fell into the hands of "conspiracy theorists".

"The QPU would never want to see this land fall into the hands of any other anti-vaxxer, pro-gun conspiracy theorist, sovereign citizens who may seek to utilise the reputation of this site to promote their own dangerous and warped views," Mr Leavers said in a statement.

"This site is one that we as police have a duty to protect, and we will ensure its future usage is both appropriate and sympathetic."

Some 8000 people are expected to attend a public memorial at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Wednesday before family and friends farewell the constables at private ceremonies.

Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony alongside family, friends, dignitaries and police officers. Free tickets were available from Monday night.

The service will be live-streamed online and on TV, and Queenslanders will be able to watch the event at a number of public venues around the state, including in communities near Wieambilla such as Tara, Dalby and Chinchilla.

© AAP 2022

Queensland's police minister won't say if he knew about a gun-running incident reportedly involving one of the alleged Wieambilla shooters last year.

Investigators are probing the weapons used in the shootings of Constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, and 58-year-old Alan Dare, at a rural property in Wieambilla, three hours west of Brisbane on December 12.

Alleged shooters Nathaniel Train, brother Gareth and sister-in-law Stacey, who were all shot dead by tactical police, may have used firearms registered in NSW, according to police sources.

Nathaniel allegedly breached COVID-19 rules in December 2021 by crossing from NSW over the border and dumping guns, ammunition and other items in a Queensland creek, the ABC has reported.

Police Minister Mark Ryan has refused to say if he was briefed about the incident at the time, a year before the Wieambilla shootings.

"I don't want to comment on the accuracy or otherwise of your statement," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"It is a full investigation, the matters are before the coroner. The (police) commissioner has been very clear that there will be a very thorough investigation and the coroner will look at all aspects of this matter."

Questions about gun-running come as the prime minister said he would hold talks about better ways to share information about registered firearms between jurisdictions with state and territory leaders.

"I am certainly up for dialogue with the states and territories about how there can be better national consistency and national information that can serve the interests of police going about their duty," he told reporters in Canberra.

Investigators are also probing the circumstances of the shootings, which fellow constables Keely Brough and her colleague Randall Kirk managed to escape.

When asked why four police had been sent to check on Nathaniel Train after he was reported missing by family in NSW, Mr Ryan said that was common practice in rural areas.

Meanwhile, he said he supported the police union's "very good idea" to purchase the Trains' property and convert it into a memorial, a retreat or a police training centre.

"I'm very supportive of that. In my view, that ground is now sacred ground, that is where the lives of two heroes of Queensland were taken, and I can think of no better way than to preserve that forever," Mr Ryan said.

Talks about a memorial come as up to 8000 people are set to pay tribute to Constables Arnold and McCrow at a public funeral at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Wednesday.

The ceremony to farewell the pair with full police honours will be live-streamed online and broadcast on TV. Queenslanders will be able to watch the event at a number of public venues around the state, including communities near Wieambilla such as Tara, Dalby and Chinchilla.

© AAP 2022

Penny Wong says "hard issues" in the China relationship will take time to resolve and she will raise with Beijing the $20 billion trade sanctions on the country and the detention of Australians.

The foreign minister will travel to China on Wednesday to meet her counterpart Wang Yi for the sixth Australia-China Foreign and Strategic Dialogue.

"Dialogue itself is central to stabilising the relationship ... many of the hard issues in the relationship will take time to resolve in our interests," she told reporters in Canberra.

"I will be raising consular cases, as I always do, just as I will continue to advocate for the trade impediments to be lifted."

When asked if the relationship between the two countries could move without the release of two Australian detainees, Senator Wong said it would be beneficial for the relationship if those consular issues were dealt with.

"We will continue to press for both consular access, which is important, but also for Dr Yang (Yang Hengjun) and Cheng Lei generally to be reunited with their families," she said.

It will be the first time in four years an Australian foreign minister has been invited to Beijing for bilateral discussions.

The visit will coincide with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and China which began under the Whitlam Labor government in 1972.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the visit marked an important step in Australia's relationship with Beijing.

"My government has taken action to stabilise Australia's relationships around the world, it is about better outcomes for Australia, but it is also about better outcomes for Australians," he said.

"The decision to establish diplomatic relations took ambition and courage, but it was the right decision and the relationship has delivered benefits to both our countries.

"The anniversary tomorrow provides an opportunity for both sides to reflect on the relationship and how it can be more constructive in the future."

The resumption of ministerial-level engagement follows one-on-one discussions between Mr Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the G20 summit in November.

Australia has been pushing for the removal of the sanctions since they were imposed on the nation's goods since 2020.

Lowy Institute Research fellow Jennifer Hsu said the resumption of diplomatic dialogue was a welcome development.

"We can ... see the wheels starting to move with regards to a number of issues pertaining to Australia and China," Dr Hsu told AAP.

"This is definitely a very positive move ... it would be great if a breakthrough happens but these things take time. There are certainly processes that need to be set in motion."

Dr Hsu said the resumption of talks could lead to some of the sanctions being removed, noting that their relaxation could help China's economic situation.

Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said with the economic sanctions remaining in place, there had been no real reset in the relationship.

"We haven't really moved one iota apart from some meetings yet ... I'm not going to be holding my breath," he told Sky News.

© AAP 2022